Line-casting machine



May 1 1934. l.. GEISERT 1,957,332

LINE CASTING MACHINE Filed oct. 26, 1933 g @www Patented May l, 1934 PATENT TC uNTTee STATES 6 Ciaims.

This invention relates to improvements in linecasting machines, and relates more specifically to improvements in the mechanism for delivering the spacebands in the make-up operation. ITlhis mechanism comprises in general a spaceband box in which the spacebands are stored, and an escapement mechanism for releasing the spacebands from the box one at a time to the spaceband chute in which they are delivered by gravity to the assembler.

One object of my invention is to provide a spaceband delivery mechanism which shall be relatively simple in form and in operation as compared with the corresponding mechanisms of the prior art.

- Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the stated character which shall be positive in operation and which will preclude the delivery of more than one spaceband at a time.

. Still another object ofthe invention is to provide a mechanism of the stated character in which wear of the mechanical parts and of the space band is reduced to a practical minimum.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a delivery mechanism of the type set forth which shall be capable of efiiciently handling spacebands of different lengths. 11n general, the object of the invention is to provide a spaceband mechanism which by reason of its simplicity of form and mode of operation shall be generally free from the many disadvantages of the prior forms of spaceband mechanism, as hereinafter more fully set forth.

n the attached drawing:

. Figure 1 is a skeleton side elevational View of a spacebanol delivery mechanism made in accordance with my invention, the novel structural elements being shown in full lines;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the mechanism;

Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary front elevational views of the lower end of the delivery chute and the escapement mechanism and show the said mechanism in different positions of adjustment;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view of the escapement, and

Figs. 6, '7 and 8 are fragmentary sectional views illustrating the mode of operation of the escapement.

With reference to the drawing, Fig. l shows in broken lines the spaceband box 1 in which the spacebands are stored, which box terminates at its lower end in a delivery chute 2 through which the spacebands are delivered to the assembler. The box 1 comprises the usual inclined rails 3, 3, from which the Spacebands 4 are suspended in the usual manner and which guide the upper ends of the spacebands to the discharge position overlying the chute 2. At the lower end of the inclined rails 3 is an adjustable guide 5, the lower end of which lies suiiiciently close to the end of the railsv 3 to retain the upper ends of the spacebands on the guides when the latter are inclined to the vertical, as illustrated in Fig. 1, but which leaves a sufficient space between itself and the rails 3 to permit passage of the upper ends of the spacebands from the ends of the rails when the said spacebands assume the vertical position indicated in broken lines in Fig. l and designated by the reference character 4a.

1n the bottom of the box l is an escapement 6 which in the present instance is pivoted at 7 to the box structure and which is adapted for oscillation between the alternative positions illustrated in Figs. 3 and Li respectively. The escapement 6 is provided with two oppositely disposed and relatively spaced blades, 8 and 9 respectively, which also occupy different planes axially of the pivot 7. The blades 8 and 9 are so arranged that when the escapement is in the horizontal position shown in Fig. 2, the blade 8 lies in the path of the lower ends of the spacebands 4i as they move dovm the rails 3, 3, and thereby act to retain the lower ends of the bands in a retracted position with respect to the upper ends of the spacebands. The spacebands are thus made to occupy the inclined position in which as previously set forth the upper ends of the bands are retained by the stop 5. When the escapement 6 is tilted, as shown in Fig. 3, the blade 8 is carried out of the path of the spacebands so that the lower ends of the bands are permitted to move forwardly until the lowermost band engages the blade 9. When now the escapement 6 is again adjusted to the substantially horizontal position, the blade 9 is in turn removed from the path of the spacebands so that the lower end of the lowerrnost spaceband is freed and is permitted to swing downwardly into the vertical position designated 4a in Fig. 1, in which position as previously set forth the band frees itself from the stop 5 and drops byY gravity into the chute 2. It will be noted that when, in this last operation, the escapement 6 is elevated, that the blade 8 passes between the lowermost of the spsicebands and the next upper spaceband, so that only the lowermost band is released, the others being retained in the box. At each complete oscillation of the escapement 6 from the normal horizontal position therefore, one of the spacebands is released and is permitted to pass into the chute 2.

rI'his sequence of operations is clearly illustrated in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. In Fig. 6, for example, the escapement 6 is shown in the horizontal position with the blade 8 acting as the controlling stop for the lower ends of the spacebands 4. When the escapement 6 is depressed, the blade 8 as shown in Fig. 7 is removed from the path of the spacebands and the latter are permitted to swing down- Wardly until the lowermost spaceband engages the blade 9 whichV has been advanced into the path of the said space bands. When the escapement 6 is again elevated, the blade 9 is removed transversely from the path of the spacebands, while the blade 8 enters between the lovvermost and the adjacent bands, thereby releasing the said lowermost spaceband while retaining the others in the box supported by the blade 8. It will be noted by reference to Figs. l and 5 that the lower ends of the spacebands are beveled, which provides a space between the lower ends for entrance or the blade 8 when the escapement 6 is elevated, as previously set forth. It will be noted that the box l comprises above the escapement 6 an inclined member l0 adjacent the lower ends of the spacebands, and this member, in the event that the upper ends of any of the spacebands is released prematurely, supports the band in the inclined position and permits operation of the escapement as described above. It is apparent, therefore, that the device does not depend for operativeness upon the stop 5, although it is preferred to utilize the stop under normal conditions.

The simplicity of the device will be apparent, since it involves the use of only one movable part, namely, the escapement 6. Preferably as illustrated, this escapement is mounted for oscillation, although it is apparent that substantially the same results might be obtained by simple longitudinal reciprocation of the escapement member 6. It will be noted further that the device is positive in operation permitting escape of one only of the spacebands at each cyclic manipulation or" the escapement 6. The device further is not sensitive to minor variations in the lengths of the space bands, and is not subject to excessive wear in any of the parts affecting the normal operation of the mechanism.

There may be further modification without departure from the invention.

I claim:

1. In spaceband delivery mechanism, the combination with a receptacle for a plurality of said spacebands, of means for guiding the upper ends of said bands to a position of discharge, and

means including an integral pivoted escapement member for controlling the movement of the lower ends of the bands successfully to the discharge position.

2. In spaceband delivery mechanism, the combination with a receptacle for a plurality of said spacebands, of means permitting free movement of the upper ends of the bands into a position of discharge, an integral pivoted escapement member constituting the sole means for controlling the movement of the lower ends of the bands successively into the discharge position, and means for actuating said member to release the bands individually for discharge from the receptacle.

3. In spaceband delivery mechanism, the combination with a receptacle for a plurality of said spacebands, a discharge chute in said receptacle, means for guiding the spacebands into the chute, an integral pivoted escapement member controlling the movement of the bands successively into the chute, and' means for actuating said escapement member.

4. In spaceband delivery mechanism,the combinaticn with a receptacle for a plurality of said spacebands, a discharge `chute in said receptacle, means permitting free'movement of one end of said bands to a position in substantial alignment with the chute, and pivotally mountedv integral escapement means for controlling the movement of the other end' of the bands into the chute.

5. In spaceband delivery mechanism, the combination with a receptacle for a' plurality of said spacebands, a discharge chute in said receptacle, means for guiding the spacebands into thechute, and escapement means for controlling the movement of the bands into the chute, said escapement means comprising a movable member having integral olset elements adapted individually in alternate positionsv of saidl member to constitute stops for said bands.

6. In spaceband delivery mechanism, the combination with a receptacle for' al plurality of said spacebands, a discharge chute in saidy receptacle,`

means for guiding the spacebands into the chute, and escapement means for controlling' the movement of the bands into the chute, said escapement means comprising a` movable member having oppositely disposed' offset stops disposed re- 

